June 18, 2007

Rushdie knighthood 'justifies suicide attacks'...?

A government-backed resolution condemningthe author's knighthood was passed unanimouslyby the lower house of the Pakistani parliamentamid angry protests across the country.

MPs said the honour was an insult to the religioussentiments of Muslims. In the eastern city ofMultan, hardline Muslim students burned effigiesof the Queen and Rushdie, chanting "Kill him! Kill him!"The above is excerpted from the UK Guardianhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/pakistan/Story/0,,2105748,00.html

These Pakis wouldn't know religion if it sneaked up andbit 'em on the caboodle. Being insulted, which ultimatelyis a product of fear, is not religious activity. Fear, pride,and hatred, not to mention murder, are what religion isto teach against, not encourage.

And certainly this Fatwa business is misguided. Howmuch of the Islamic world is influenced by profoundlyuninspired leaders & institutions? I don't know, butit has everything to do with why there is blood runningin the streets in the Middle East and around the world.These Pakistanis, who combine religion & politics, arearmed with nuclear weapons. Paki politicians might beposturing for their constituents, but over in Iran,the Ayatollah is not posturing.